In their inaugural season in the MLS, the Orlando City Lions have had their ups and downs. Just after ending their six game winless streak last week against Sporting Kansas City it was another positive week for the Lions as they stormed into Toyota Park, to take on the Chicago Fire, and pull out a huge 1-0 win, to keep their playoff chances alive.
Meeting for a fourth time this season, Orlando City now has the upper hand in the season series, with two wins over the Fire. The game was a typical midfield stalemate with limited chances from both teams, but in the 18th minute a screamer off the boot of Carlos Rivas rattled the crossbar turned out to be Orlando City’s best chance of the first half. Chicago had a valiant effort, as the last place team in the Eastern Conference of the MLS gave the Lions all they could, before conceding a heart-breaking 86th minute goal to substitute Bryan Rochez.
Orlando City is now 9-8-13, with 35 points and are in seventh place in the East, only one point behind the Montreal Impact who also won their meeting against the New England Revolution. With only four weeks left in the season, the Lion Firm, have a huge game against the Impact on October third, that could be potentially a playoff game in itself.
With the other expansion team, New York City FC, clipping at their heels, the Lions really need to keep this form in order to emerge as the 6th seed, and if everything falls right maybe even the 5th seed. With a little luck and hard work, the Lions could make the Orlando City faithful even more proud if they can make the playoffs in their first season. Only time will tell what the actual playoff picture will paint itself to be, but if Orlando City wants to be apart of the portrait, they need to continue playing with this high intensity.